Solar Over Temp

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   It might just be something like particles of dirt bonded across the thermistor leads or something similar on some leads around one of the chips...
Sometimes just blasting the entire board and discrete components with an electronic spray cleaner will dislodge or clean it, sometimes you have to get more aggressive with a very small brush, 1/4" or less in size used with the cleaner spray.

If that don't fix it, I doubt it has any hope of being repaired. 

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podwerkz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2019 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 966	Topic: Solar Over Temp Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 11:30am
	It might just be something like particles of dirt bonded across the thermistor leads or something similar on some leads around one of the chips... Sometimes just blasting the entire board and discrete components with an electronic spray cleaner will dislodge or clean it, sometimes you have to get more aggressive with a very small brush, 1/4" or less in size used with the cleaner spray. If that don't fix it, I doubt it has any hope of being repaired.
	r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!

JR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 31 Aug 2018 Location: Manistee, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 364	Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 10:01am
	The model depends on the solar you are trying to gather. I have used the Sunsaver and it did a good job, if the 10 amps processing is what you need go for it. Like I said that the equipment is more expensive but the customer service is fantastic.
	Jay 179/2019

mikeyg2347 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 27 May 2015 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 75	Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 8:17am
	Which model of Morningstar do you recommend? Looks like the Sunsaver 10 amp, 12 volt will do the job and it's only $63. That's $30 more than the comparable Renogy but that doesn't break the bank.
	Mike

JR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 31 Aug 2018 Location: Manistee, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 364	Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 7:43am
	I have had 2 Morning Star's on two different applications and have been very satisfied with the controller's operations. With each of them I had issues that had to be worked through and the customer support is just outstanding and I would highly recommend the company and their equipment. The equipment is not the cheapest out there but the customer service more than makes up for that. By the way I am still using the Morning Star controller on our RPod 179 and it is working well.
	Jay 179/2019

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 7:21am
	Morningstar makes good stuff, I used to work with the founders at another company and they are good folks.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 6:59am
	I've never looked in one of those controllers but you might try this. Look for the heat sink. The larger device(s) on it will be the field effect transistors (FETs) which do the pulse width modulation switching. If the heat sink temp sensor is a discrete device it will be smaller than the FETs. Like maybe a very small button on a ring terminal attached to the heatsink somewhere. If you can find that you could try to detach it, clean it up and reattach it. If that doesn't work, and it probably won't, then as StephenH says, get a new controller, and maybe get a "waterproof" one this time.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mikeyg2347 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 27 May 2015 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 75	Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 6:59am
	Any recommendations on a brand? Renogy's newer models are reasonably priced and advertised to be waterproof but I'm totally unimpressed with their customer support.
	Mike

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326	Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 10:07pm
	It sounds like it is time for a new controller.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

mikeyg2347 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 27 May 2015 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 75	Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 9:48pm
	The controller appeared to be dry when I opened it up. There's just a couple of boards in there which I pulled out without disconnecting and let sit for a couple of days. If there was any moisture it would have been gone by then I'd think. The over temp alarm comes on immediately which is interesting because there's not enough time for any heat to develop.
	Mike

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326	Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 8:09pm
	The earlier controllers were not waterproof. The newer Voyager controllers do claim to be waterproof. If water got in there, it could have shorted something. Why not try something that is done to dry out cell phones when they get wet. Put the controller in a fine mesh cloth bag. Put that in a bag filled with rice and leave it for a few days. That will help dry it out. I guess you could use silica gel to dry it out also, but it is easier to get a bag of rice and it does work.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS